It was so fun! I had a bunch of friends over and we crafted like crazy elves. First on the list "Christmas Cookie Jars".
Lesson 1: I assumed too much. I assumed we would have time to create labels (I didn't finish them), I assumed a quart jar is a quart jar, and I assumed it would be easy. Nope to all. The Kerr Jars did not hold the ingredients so a couple of gals have a ready bag of mix for cookies at the next exchange:). I created labels the next day and mailed them all to my peeps. It was a bit challenging to figure out how to do it well. We decided (by we I mean my smart friends I was not part of the solution). to set it up in stations with measuring cups in front of every layered item. We did a lot of pressing and forcing the layers tight to get it all in. The inspiration site (Bakerella.com) warned it would be like that but the Kerr Jars just didn't allow the ingredients.
Making labels the next day.
They look fantastic
I made a bunch:)
Next time
- print instructions and labels in advance with a station for adhesive to apply
- Use individual measuring tools for every ingredient
- Use a canning funnel
- Prep the space in advance of the gathering so your buds can get right to work
- Walmart sells smooth quart jars by the case for $6.00 best price I found, and ready for craft fabulous. The .50 jar made the total cost of materials very low.
Lesson 2: Pearls and leather are not made for each other. The Pearl holes are way too small. So I purchased 2 separate pearl reamers and after more time than sense still toooo small. So I pulled out the dremel, used a bit that matched the diameter of the leather and filled a small bowl with water.
It works like this:
step 1: wrap the pearl where it pinches in pliers with makeup sponge cut to fit to protect it
step 2: Start the dremel and get comfortable with the weight and gyration and slowly bring the bit to the
current peal hole and start a slow and gentle drilling. (If I pushed too hard when I finished the
hole the dremel would drop forward and scratch the top of the pearl with the top of the bit holder
thingy.
step 3: often pull back and dip the bit ONLY in the water to coll down the tip. The pearls smell bad and
get hot. So it is important to coll the bit often to avoid a black burn on the inside of the pearl.
step 4: don't touch pearl after drilling, they are HOT.
Note: I read Pearl dust is toxic so wear eye protection and something for you mouth.
The leather and pearl jewelry turned out so pretty but I forgot to take pictures. Good excuse to make more.
Lesson 3: Scarfs and ear warmer are easiest with lots of material and the best ear warmers turned out to be the ones we used the purchased black band and embellished. The favorite pattern for the scarfs was the circle ruffle one.
hard to photograph with the cell phone:)
Lots of flowers and ruffles added for my nieces. The gray is pretty similar to the inspiration piece here: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/41268/how-to-make-a-cozy-spiral-scarf Hands down the best tutorial for how to do this!
Making the pattern with wrapping paper and a pizza pan. Improvise!
